Camera system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

In a camera system to be installed in a passenger compartment of motor vehicle, a camera ( 3 ) is surrounded by a housing ( 7 ) and is oriented towards the windshield ( 1 ) of the passenger compartment. Between the camera ( 3 ) and the windshield ( 1 ) a shield ( 11 ) is provided, which is moveable between a closed position in which the camera ( 3 ) is shielded against scatter light from the passenger compartment and an open position in which access may be had to the front lens ( 4 ) of the camera ( 3 ) and the area ( 6 ) of the windshield lying in the field of view of the camera ( 3 ).

1 - 10 . (cancelled)  
     
     
         11 . A camera system adapted for installing in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, wherein a camera ( 3 ) surrounded by a housing ( 7 ,  7 ′,  7 ″,  7 ″′) is provided on a windshield ( 1 ) of the passenger compartment and wherein a shield ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″,  11 ″′) is provided between the camera ( 3 ) and the windshield ( 1 ), wherein the shield ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″,  11 ″′) is moveable between a closed position, in which the camera ( 3 ) is shielded from scatter light or back light from the passenger compartment, and an open position, in which access is provided to the front lens ( 4 ) of the camera ( 3 ) and an area ( 6 ) of the windshield in the field of view of the camera ( 3 ).  
     
     
         12 . A camera system according to  claim 11 , wherein the shield ( 11 ,  11 ′) is pivotable between its two positions.  
     
     
         13 . A camera system according to  claim 12 , wherein the shield ( 11 ) is linked to the housing ( 7 ) of the camera system by an articulated linkage.  
     
     
         14 . A camera system according to  claim 13 , wherein the shield ( 11 ) is connected to the housing ( 7 ) by a frictional hinge ( 12 ).  
     
     
         15 . A camera system according to  claim 11 , wherein the shield ( 11 ″,  11 ″′) is slideable between two positions.  
     
     
         16 . A camera system according to  claim 15 , wherein the shield ( 11 ″) and the housing ( 7 ″) are slideable together as a unit.  
     
     
         17 . A camera system according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one air channel ( 9 ) is formed between the housing ( 7 ,  7 ′,  7 ″,  7 ″′) and the camera ( 3 ).  
     
     
         18 . A camera system according to  claim 17 , wherein the housing ( 7 ,  7 ′,  7 ″,  7 ″′) is provided with ventilation openings ( 8 ).  
     
     
         19 . A camera system according to  claim 11 , wherein a gap ( 10 ) is formed between the windshield ( 1 ) and an edge of the housing ( 7 ,  7 ′,  7 ″,  7 ″′) facing the windshield ( 1 ).  
     
     
         20 . A camera system according to  claim 11 , wherein a light impermeable, preferably black, area ( 5 ) is formed on the windshield ( 1 ), and that the shield ( 11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″,  11 ″′) in its closed position shields a transparent window ( 6 ) formed in the light impermeable area ( 5 ).